The anatomy of broken trust: Can it ever be restored?

 

The psychological issue of restoring damaged trust. Photo credit: stock.adobe.com

Rebuilding trust can be challenging once it has been damaged because it requires sustained effort, vulnerability, and a genuine commitment from those who abuse their authority or office to oppress and dominate defenseless people.

 

The process is inherently nonlinear and can be prolonged, especially after major betrayals, leaving lasting psychological scars and deep-seated doubt. While possible with time and consistent actions, trust is often never fully restored to its original state.

 

There comes a time when the decision to forgive becomes pointless since the people who are consistently abusing their power or hurting you lack self-control. They continue to commit crimes, act cruelly, and break the law with impunity.

 

I have experienced difficult times in my life, not because I have broken the law, but rather because, as an African writer in Europe, some people view my writing as a threat even though I do not support violence or intend to incite political upheaval.

 

Hundreds of journalists and writers in Europe and the US write false and misleading articles about Africa, and they don't mind at all. I wouldn't be aware that European journalists are paid to disseminate false information about diseases if I weren't in Europe.

 

At the moment, I have lost faith in the government and many institutions in Belgium during the past 25 years, and I don't believe that any psychiatric therapy or rehabilitation can help me regain that broken trust. I don’t have trust in anyone except my family.

 

In my current perspective, I don't need to trust people or institutions till the day I die if I want to live a healthy and happy life. That is far better than short-lived trust from forces that don’t value the truth or life but only money.

 

SIERRA LEONE needs more International help aftermath the war

Child killers at war in Sierra Leone



The war in Sierra Leone is over, but the result is disastrous. A grim picture of victims of war with physical and psychological scars is all over the provinces. As said by one of the victims, calling for international help.


"If you can permit me, I can send some photos of war victims still on the streets of  Freetown and other big towns, having no proper care, no shelter, and no food. They only survive by begging on the street for their daily lives."

In 2008, when I visited Freetown, what I saw was really sad to narrate. How could people be so cruel? What crime has the baby or child committed to deserve amputation of both wrists? The victim's mind is still filled with sad emotions of bitterness about what happened to them. 

They can forgive but can't forget what exactly took place in Sierra Leone. The war victims are all over the provinces with amputated hands and legs. Sad to say that the less fortunate ones had both hands amputated.  

This is the biggest problem the government of Sierra Leone is presently facing.  The people need international help in terms of feeding, shelter, clothing, medical, and education for children roaming on the streets without a certain future.

This horrific war that claimed thousands of lives and maimed both children and adults could have been prevented. The developed countries were very slow to respond to the cry of the Sierra Leoneans, until they observed how serious the war was becoming. 

To halt the brutal war, many musicians, including Lucky Dube, the South African reggae star, and the great Joseph Hill of Culture-Jamaica (both deceased), sacrificed their lives to play peace concerts in the capital, Freetown. Joseph Hill told the rebels to put down their weapons, and they obeyed.

At one point, the rebels told the government of Tejan Kabbah that "You are lucky that Paa Hill is here (referring to Joseph Hill), else we shall destroy this city within twenty-four hours". 

Even though the government is working to promote the welfare of the people, especially children, youth, and women in their quest to achieve Social Justice, Advocacy, Human Rights, and Social Improvement in a participatory approach, irrespective of Tribe, Race, Gender, and Religion, Sierra Leone still needs international help.